Tension device



July 11, 1928. 1,677,138-

' J. C. HODGE TENS I 0N DEVICE Filed April 50, 1 927 Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

i Jenn CAMPBELI HODGE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T W STERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, or YonK, n. A CORPORATION or NEW YoRK.

TENSION DEVICE.

Application filed April 30, 1327. Serial No. 187,965.

a This invention relates to tensioning devices, and more particularly to a device wherein a strand being unwound from a supply is tensioned by a frictional retarding force applied to the periphery of the strand Edie object of this invention is to provide 9, simple, etticient andreadily adjustable de iee for maintaining material under a substantially constant tension as it is withdrawn from a supply.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention as applied to a stranding apparatus for producing cables there is pro vided apair of spaced spring actuated arms pivoted upon a common shaft and hearing at their free outer ends upon the periphery of a strand supply wound upon a revolvably mounted spool for exerting a predetermined frictional retarding force to the rotationof the spool as the strand is withdrawn therefrom so that a substantially constant tension is maintained on the strand. throughout its entire length. The springs are of the torsion type and are completely enclosed within opposed housings formed integral with the hubs of the arms and concentrically disposed around the common shaft, one end of each of the springs being lined to the hub of the associated arm, with the opposite end of the spring fixed to a flanged ad'usting nut extending withinand adjustably secured to an intermediate collar fixed to the shaft.

Other objects and advantages ol? this in vention will become clearly apparent from the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying draws ing, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view of arotatable drum of a stranding apparatus with a strand supply spool revolvably mounted thereon and a. strand tension device individual thereto and ei nbodying the teatures of this invention associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a side viewthereol;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; y

Fi 4 is a section on the line 4l l of Fig. 3 looliing in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 5 is a View similar to Fig. 1 on a re.-

deed scale, showing another applicationof the invention.

In the drawing this invention 15 shown applied to a wiretwisting or stranding apparatus such as is used in the manufacture of telephone cables. F or a complete illustration and description of one type of stranding apparatus to which the present invention is applicable, reference may be had to Patent 1,579,769 to H. F. Jones, dated April 6, 1926.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, one unit or drum .ot' a stranding apparatus which is rotatable upon a horizontal axis is shown fragmentarily. The drum comprises a'pairor' spaced rings 11 each fixedto and adjacent the outer ends of a plurality of equally spaced angle irons12 radiating from rotatable axial bearing members (not shown), to which theinner ends of the angle irons are secured. The rings 11 and angle irons 12 secured thereto are integrally united by a plurality of equally spaced horizontally disposed angle irons 13 fixed to the outer ends of the angle irons 12 Outside of each ring 11' is an endless member let proyiding a plurality of equally spaced bearings 15, one of which is indicat'id in Fig. 2 for supporting opposite ends of a spindle 16 upon which is rotatably mounted a strand supply spool 17. The endless members 14 are each formed from a plurality oi similar members 18 secured to the outer ends of the angle irons 13. A suitable latch device 19 is provided at each of the bearings 15 for maintaining the spindle 16 stationary relative to the bearing, the spool 17 rotating on the spindle as the strand is withdrawntherefrom in the operation of the stranding apparatus, in a. well known manner. It is tobe understood that the various elements hereinbefore described and comprising the drum 10 are suitably secured together by electric welding or otherwise to form an integral structure.

A strand tension device 20 embodying the features of this invention, and which for il= lustrative purposes has been applied to a stranding apparatus will now be described.

Secured to the angle irons13 between the inner opposed faces 01'' the endless members la by a pair of spaced. brackets 23 is a spindle 24., the spindle being heldstationary with respect to the brackets by pins 25 (Fig. Fixed to the spindle 24 intermediate the brackets 23 bya pin 26 is a sleevedike member or collar 27. Fitting int-o annular channels 28 formed in each end face oi the collar 27 are shouldered adjusting nuts 29, the nuts being rotatably mounted on the spindle 24:. The peripheral surface of each of the nuts 29 intermediate their end faces is hexagonal in contour as indicated at 30 (Figs. 1 and 4.), for a purpose which will be apparent as this description progresses. The inner shouldered portion of each of the nuts 29 fitting in the annular Channels 28 of the collar 27 are provided with a pluraility of equally spaced apertures (Figs. 3 and 4) radially arranged in the peripheral surface thereof. Each of the apertures 33 in each nut 29 is arranged to he axially aligned with one or another of a plurality of threaded apertures 32L formed in the peripheral surface of the collar 27 at either end there- After adjusting the tension device 20, wliichwill be described shortly, a shouldered screw 35 is threaded into one of the apertures 311st either end of the collar 27, shouldered ends 36 of the screws entering the apertures 33 of the nuts and thus locking them to the collar. Pivotally mounted on the spindle 24 at either end thereof (Fig. 3) is an arm 37 provided at its pivotal portion with an integral tubular extension or housing 10, the opposite end surfaces of the housin abutting the opposed end surfaces of the racket 23 and the nut 29. The inner peripheral surface of the housing 10 at its inner end, which is open, is arranged to turn on an outer shoulderedportion of the associatednut .29, while the opposite end of the housing, which is closed, is journaled on the spindle 24. Encircling the spindle A between the outer endfaces of the nuts 29 and the inner faces of the housings 4.0 at their closed outer ends and within which they are completely enclosed are torsional springs 41. opposite ends of the springs extending into apertures 42 audit-3 provided in the opposed faces of the housing 40 and the nut 29, respectively. The free ends of the arms 37 are curved outwardly and form brake portions arranged to bear against the outer periphery of the strand wound on the spool 17 (Fig. 2) to exert a. frictional re tarding force or drag thereon during the withdrawal of the strand therefrom, the strand being withdrawn in the direction i11- dicated by the arrows (Fig. 53) in the particular application of the invention illustrated the torsionalsprings 1-1 act to resiliently press the free ends of the arms against the strand. The frictional retarding force to he applied'to the strand as it is Withdrawn from the spool is determined by the strength and size of the strand. To adjust the pressure of the arms 37 against the strand, the enemy of the springs 11 may be varied in the following manner.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 the adjustment of the left hand arm 37 (Fig. will be described.

To increase the energy of the spring 41 a suitable wrench is applied to the hexagonal portion 30 of the nut 29 and the locking screw 35 is then removed. 'lhereafter by rotating the nut .29 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 the energy or tension of the spring will he increased. a movement ofthe nut in a counter-clockwise direction permitting the spring to unwind. Upon increasing the tension of the sprin 1 the desired amount, the screw 35 is threat ed into one of the apertures 3% of the collar 27 with the shouldered end 30 thereof being inserted in the nearest aperture 33 in the nut 29, thereby locking the nut and collar to gether. It will be apparent from the inspection of Fig. 4 that a very fine adjustment of the tension of the spring 41 may he had, since the spacing between the centers of the apertures 33 and3 1 is arranged in such a manner that comparatively little movement of the nut 29 from its set position in either direction, to increase or decrease the tension of the spring 41, there results a newalignment of the apertures 33 and 34.

The dotted line position of the arm 37 (Fig. 2) indicates the position thereof when the spindle 17 is empty. In this position this free end of the arm 37 lies very close to the drum of the spool 17, the arm being retained in this position under the action of the spring 41 during the removal of the empty spool by a stop lug 44 formed on the arm engaging the edge face of the upper arm of the angle iron 13. It will be apparent that asthe diameter of the strand wound on the spool decreases, the torsional spring 41 connected thereto acts to gradually decrease the 'Ill pressure of the arm 37 upon theperipheryof the strand, the pressure being reduced to a' minimum when the arm is in the dotted line position. During the mounting of the tilled spool 17 the arms 37 are automatically turned counter-clockwise due to the engagement of the periphery of the strand thereon with the curved outer ends of the arms asthe spool is placed in position, the energy of the springs 41 thus being restored to proride the desired pressure of the arms against the periphery of the filled spool.

By using two independently tensionetl arms 37 on each spindle 2 1 it is possible to mount a pair of spools, each containing strands of different strength. thus providing, a brake arm 37 for each spool, a pair of spools mounted in this manner being il lustrated in Fig. 5.

It should he understood that although the strand tensioning device of this invention disclosed as applied to :1 st and. supply of a stranding apparatus, the features thereof are applicable to various other strand supplies for different uses and the invention should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

liitl ill 1. A device for maintaining a substantiahthe spring for controlling the tension therely constant tension in a strand being with drawn from a supply thereof,comprising a pivotal brake arm forengaging the periphcry of the strand supply, resilient means connected at one end to the arm and disposed coaxial with the pivotal portion. thereof for maintaining the arm under pressure against the strand supply, an adjustable member coaxial with and connected to theother end of the resilient means for controllingthe tension thereof to vary the braking effect of the arm, and a housing for the resilient means extending from the arm and abutting the member to maintain it in predetermined longitudinal relation with the arm.

2. A device for maintaining a substantial- 1y constant tension in a strand being withdrawn from a supply thereof, comprising a support, a brake arm pivoted thereon for engaging the periphery of the strand sup-- ply, a torsional spring encircling the support and connected at one end to the pivotal portion of the arm for maintaining the arm under pressure against the strand supply, a member adjustable on the support and connected to the other end of the spring for controlling the tension thereof to vary the braking effect of the arm, and a housing for the torsional spring extending from the pivotal portion of the brake arm and to the memher to maintain it in predetermined longitudinal relation on the support.

ly constant tension in a strand being with drawn from a supply thereof, comprising a support, a brake arm pivoted thereon for engaging the periphery of the strand supply, a torsional spring encircling the support and connected at one end to the pivotal portion of the arm for maintaining the arm under pressure against the strand supply, a flanged member rotatably adjustable on the support and connected to the other end of the spring for controlling the tension thereof to vary the braking effect of the arm, and a collar fixed to the sup ort provided with a depressed surface or receiving the flange of themember, the flange of the member and the collar providedv With a plurality of radially arranged registrable apertures in their peripheries, and an element for insertion in the registered apertures for holding the member in adjusted position.

4-. A device for maintaining a substantially constant tension in a strand being Withdrawn from a supply thereof, comprising a support, a brake arm pivoted thereon for engaging the periphery of thestrand supply, a torsional spring encircling the support and connected at one end to the pivotal portion of the arm for maintaining the arm under pressure against the strand supply, a flanged member rotatably adjustable on the support and connected to the other .end of of to vary the braking effect of the arm,

and a collar fixed to the support and provided with a depressed surface for receiving the flange of the member,the periphery of the flange of the member provided with a plurality of equally spaced radially arranged apertures registrable one at a time with one of a plurality of radially arranged apertures provided in the periphery of the collar, the spacing of the latter apertures differing from the former apertures, and an element for insertion in the registered aperturesfor holding the member in adjusted position. i

5. A device for maintaining a substantially constant tension in a strand being withdrawn from a supply thereof, comprising a support, a pair of spacedbrake arms pivoted thereon for engaging the periphery of the, strand supply at separated points, torsional springs encircling the support, each connected at one end to the pivotal portion of the arm for maintaining the arm individually under pressure against the strand supply, a collarfixed to the support intermediate the arms provided with opposite annular depressions, flanged members rotatably adjustable individually on the support at either side of the collar, each connected to the other end of one of the springs with its flange entered in the adjacent annular depression of the collar, the peripheries of the flanges of the member and the periphery of the collar provided with a plurality of radially arranged registrable apertures, and elements for insertion in the tially constant tension in a strand being withdrawn from a supply thereof, comprising a support,a brake arm pivoted thereon for engaging the periphery of the strand supply, the arm having an integral elongated tubular portion coaxial with the support, a torsional spring encircling the support within the tubular portion of the arm and connected at one end to the arm for maintaining the arm under pressure against the strand supply, and a flanged member rotatably adjustable on the support and connects ed to the other end of the spring for controlling the tension thereof to vary the braking effect of the arm, the member forming an end closure for the tubular portion of the able member operatively associated with the means for controlling the tension thereof, a stationary member cooperating with the adjustable member for holding the latter member in adjusted position, the two members provided with a plurality of radially arranged registrable apertures, and an element for insertion in the registered apertures.

i 8. In a device for maintaining a substantially constant tension in a strand being withdrawn from a supply thereof, a pair of brakesfor engaging the periphery of the supply, resilient means connected thereto for pressing the brakes against the supply, adjacent individual adjustable members operatively associated with the resilient means for controlling the tensions thereof, a stationary member intermediate the adjustable members and cooperating therewith for holding the latter members in adjusted positions, the several members provided with a plurality of radially arranged registrahle apertures, and a pair of elements for insertion in the registered sets of apertures.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day ofApril A. 1)., 1927.

JOHN CAMPBELL HODGE. 

